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Request for Quotation (RFQ)

Reference: 203-RFQ-241206A | Version 1.2

UKSPF Summative Assessment for Net Zero and EPD Projects

Background

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) replaced the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) and provides funding for local investment until 31 March 2025. In Tees Valley (Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees), UKSPF supports local businesses through specialist providers delivering targeted support across different business needs and sectors.

Decerna Limited seeks quotations from qualified organisations to undertake Summative Assessments of two UKSPF projects delivered by Decerna on behalf of the Tees Valley Combined Authority, the Tees Valley Mayor, and the Tees Valley Business Board.

Project 1

Name: Tees Valley Net Zero

Reference: PROJ-4612, UKSPF Lot 7

Headline: Supporting local businesses to implement net zero transitions through advice, guidance, and grant funding.

Description: The Tees Valley Net Zero project provides practical steps to help businesses reduce costs and save carbon. The project provides access to a wide range of support including self-help guides, energy information sessions, CPD-accredited energy management workshops, free energy assessments and grant funding. A £1M grant fund provides 500 grants of £2,000 each to support net zero investments.

Objectives:

Outputs & Outcomes:

Type Indicator Target
Output Number of enterprises receiving non-financial support 600
Output Number of enterprises receiving grants 500
Output Number of decarbonisation plans developed as a result of support 100
Outcome Number of enterprises adopting new to the firm technologies or processes 200
Outcome Increased amount of low or zero carbon energy infrastructure installed /m2 1,000
Outcome Estimated crbon dioxide equivalent reductions as a result of support /tCO2(e) 250

Logic Model: Demonstrates how these activities will lead to greater awareness of net zero across the business community, more businesses with carbon reduction plans, improved energy efficiency, lower operating costs, and collective progress towards net zero across Tees Valley.

Value: £2,130,000

Web site: Net Zero - Business

Project 2

Name: Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)

Reference: PROJ-1138, UKSPF SLB053

Headline: Supporting SMEs to develop EPD certifications and enhance sustainability capabilities

Description: The Environmental Product Declarations project represents a strategic response to increasing emphasis on sustainability and environmental accountability in product manufacturing and supply chains. The project provides training and direct assistance to help SMEs develop EPD certifications, vital tools for demonstrating environmental credentials and accessing new markets.

Objectives:

Outputs & Outcomes:

Type Indicator Target
Output Number of enterprises receiving non-financial support 30
Outcome Number of enterprises engaged in new markets 5

Logic Model: Sets out how providing EPD development support and training will deliver both direct carbon savings through certified products and deeper business benefits including enhanced understanding of environmental impacts, job creation through EPD/LCA training, stronger regional business connectivity, and mainstreamed commitment to science-based environmental impact quantification.

Value: £240,555

Web site: Environmental Product Declarations - Business

Both projects are Interventions under E29: Supporting Decarbonisation & Improving Natural Environment. Falling under the Investment Priority: Communities & Place, Supporting Local Business. As well as contributing to TVCA's business support ecosystem, which includes:

Further background on UKSPF and the Supporting Local Business programme in Tees Valley can be found at:

The successful organisation will be issued a standard supplier contract and be given access to the original proposals and logic models. Project data will be provided securely via a single licence of Evolutive. Relevant output & outcome evidence will be accessible through Power BI charts.

Consultants from the successful organisation, will have appropriate access to project delivery staff at Decerna throughout summative assessment. A dedicated Teams site can be setup to facilitate collaboration between the successful organisation and Decerna. No project data will be shared via email.

Summative Assessment Requirements

Overview

Both UKSPF projects aim to reduce business emissions and enhance sustainability capabilities across Tees Valley through:

Evaluation Objectives

The summative assessments will:

Data Collection Methods

Method Components
Desk Research
  • Review of project data and documentation
  • Literature search of previous PAb4 ERDF projects
  • Analysis of monitoring information
Primary Research
  • Business beneficiary survey
  • 5-10 case study development (note: Decerna have already captured testimonials and written case studies in excess of this)
  • Stakeholder interviews
Impact Analysis
  • Output and outcome assessment
  • Value for money calculations
  • Strategic benefit review

Deliverables

Deliverable Timeline Components
Inception Report January 2025
  • Detailed methodology
  • Work packages
  • Data collection approach
Draft Report February 2025
  • Initial findings across all evaluation areas
  • Preliminary recommendations
  • Draft case studies
  • Draft analysis and evidence base
Final Report March 2025
  • Complete summative assessments
  • Appendices with supporting data
  • Final recommendations
  • Final case studies
Knowledge Transfer March 2025
  • Presentation to project team
  • Summary briefing for stakeholders
  • Handover of evaluation materials

Timescales

Milestone Date
RfQ Published Friday 6 December 2024
Clarification Deadline Friday 20 December 2024 (16:00)
Proposal / RfQ Deadline Monday 6 January 2025 (12:00 noon)
Shortlist Interviews Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 January 2025
Contract Award Friday 10 January 2025
Kick-off Meeting Monday 13 January 2025
Final Report Friday 14 March 2025
Handover Meeting Friday 21 March 2025

Financials

Maximum Budget: £33,000 (excluding VAT).

Payment Schedule

Deliverable Payment
Acceptance of Inception Report 30%
Approval of Final Summative Assessment Report 70%

Payment Terms: Approved invoices will be paid within 0-1 working days.

Deadline: All activity and defrayment must occur no later than 31 March 2025.

Assessment Criteria (100 points total)

Criteria Points Assessment Criteria Assessment Scoring
Understanding and Methodology 30
  • Clear demonstration of understanding the requirements for both projects
  • Robust and appropriate evaluation methodology aligned with UKSPF guidance
  • Suitable data collection methods and analysis approach
  • Well-thought-out approach to measuring impacts and value for money
  • Clear plan for case study development and beneficiary engagement
  • Excellent (25-30): Comprehensive understanding and exceptional methodology
  • Good (19-24): Strong understanding with minor gaps
  • Satisfactory (13-18): Basic understanding with some limitations
  • Poor (7-12): Limited understanding with significant gaps
  • Very Poor (0-6): Inadequate understanding and methodology
Experience and Expertise 30
  • Track record in conducting similar evaluations
  • Experience with impact evaluation methods
  • Knowledge of business decarbonisation
  • Understanding of the Tees Valley business landscape
  • Excellent (25-30): Extensive relevant experience and expertise
  • Good (19-24): Strong experience with minor gaps
  • Satisfactory (13-18): Adequate experience with some limitations
  • Poor (7-12): Limited relevant experience
  • Very Poor (0-6): Insufficient experience and expertise
Project Management & Deliverability 20
  • Realistic and detailed work plan
  • Clear resource allocation
  • Quality assurance processes
  • Risk management approach
  • Ability to meet timeline (Jan-Mar 2025)
  • Excellent (17-20): Outstanding project management approach
  • Good (13-16): Well-structured approach with minor gaps
  • Satisfactory (9-12): Basic approach with some limitations
  • Poor (5-8): Inadequate project management approach
  • Very Poor (0-4): Poor planning and deliverability
Value for Money 10
  • Competitive day rates
  • Appropriate allocation of resources
  • Clear breakdown of costs
  • Added value elements
  • Excellent (9-10): Exceptional value proposition
  • Good (7-8): Good value with minor concerns
  • Satisfactory (5-6): Acceptable value proposition
  • Poor (3-4): Limited value for money
  • Very Poor (0-2): Poor value proposition
Cost 10
  • Calculated by reference to lowest price proposal, each proposal weighted proportionately.
  • Score = (Lowest Price / Proposal Price) × 10

Submission Requirements

Item Requirements
Technical Proposal
(max 15 pages)
  • Understanding of the brief and evaluation objectives
  • Detailed methodology and approach
  • Data collection and analysis methods
  • Quality assurance processes
  • Work plan and timeline
  • Team structure and roles
  • Risk management
  • Examples of relevant experience (including 2-3 case studies)
Financial Proposal
(max 2 pages)
  • Total fixed cost price (excluding VAT)
  • Detailed cost breakdown by work package/deliverable
  • Day rates for team members
  • Number of days per team member
  • Confirmation of ability to complete within budget
Appendices
  • CVs of core team members (max 2 pages each)
  • Organisation profile
  • 2 relevant client references
  • Confirmation of insurance coverage
  • Declaration of any conflicts of interest
Format
  • 10pt minimum font size for body text
  • Technical Proposal, Financial Proposal, and Appendices to be separate PDF files, each being ≤8MB.
Platform
Dates

  • Clarification deadline: Friday 20 December 2024 (16:00).

  • Proposal deadline: Monday 6 January 2025 (12:00 noon).